Moto Guzzi Dustbin racer by Craig Rodsmith

May 18th, 2017 by retail design blog

US-based Craig Rodsmith, the brain behind rodsmith motorcycles, has been customizing motorcycles since the 1970s. The experience certainly shines through when it comes to his latest project-a turbocharged moto Guzzi Dustbin racer. The bike pays homage to Rodsmith’s signature style, with a bare metal 1969 ambassador loop frame that has been cut down by some 3.5 inches, reshaped and decked out in hand-formed aluminum.

The bike’s balanced 950cc engine has been built by “the Guzzi doctor,” and is hooked up to a lightened flywheel for quicker throttle response. Rodsmith himself has designed and built a blow through turbo system using two sealed pressurized 36 mm delortos. There’s also a small, low pressure fuel pump under the tank that is regulated to maintain about one pound over boost pressure. Rodsmith has fashioned the the stainless steel exhaust to run smoothly over the top of the engine to feed the turbo, and also sculpted the intake plenum himself.

A man who likes to build his parts himself, the only other parts Craig sought help for were the custom made shocks by super shox, and the enviable hand-sewn leather seat by JBseatz. When it comes to the bike’s metalwork, Rodsmith’s nearly 40 years of experience sure pay off, with the tank, seat, dash, and statement fairing all hand formed using traditional methods. Rodsmith ecen electro nickel plated most of the fittings himself. The bike’s vintage looking gauges have been handmade to hide veglia internals.

“I’ve wanted to build my take on a dustbin racer for over twenty years” details Craig Rodsmith, “and it had to be in my usual style—handmade and bare metal. I almost always try to make as many parts myself and use old or original components that I often modify to suit rather than use modern or “retro” parts. I usually do every aspect of my builds myself to keep it true to my vision.”